Wishing for Orks

[Wishing]

Hello all, here is a log intended to catalogue my progress with working on my budding ork army.

When I originally considered doing orks, I wanted to do a digger-like army of human barbarians following an orkish culture, similar to Proiteus' Kroggs project. However, I decided that having to convert every single model heavily was too much of a chore, so as a compromise I decided to just paint my orks in skin tones instead of green, making them look more like mutant humans (or small ogryn) and less like rubbery aliens.

These are the models I've finished so far - a warboss-type, plus a small unit of orks with spears and a grot shaman type in the middle. The grot is a kind of tribute to the savage humans idea, as he consists of a chaos marauder body with a goblin head.







Currently being built is a unit of mutant beast riders based on the classic notion of boar riders, but with the boars converted up to look more freakish. It's taking a while, but I'm enjoying the process.

[Tokamak]

Excellent! Incredibly characterful theme! Consider yourself subscribed.

Are you following a feral ork list?

[Wishing]

Thanks! I'm not following a specific list per se, but it's definitely going to be feral ork themed, I'm shooting for a mix between snakebite and blood axe in look and feel. I've also got a FW squiggoth sitting on my stereo.

[Tokamak]

Awesome, also, keep up the simple red tatoos.

[Wishing]

Yeah, gotta remember that. The tattoos were what attracted me to snakebites way back in the day when 40k metal models all came with separate plastic arms.

[Kronos]

really liking these orks, very original, and those squig boars/ mutant beasts look very cool, and the flesh tones look good too.

[Wishing]

Thanks Kronos! I finally finished the first of the mutant boars, so here is a shot of it pre-painting. You can't make out the teeth so well, but that will all change when I get paint on it.

[Dreffbuilder]

Yarrr.. evil badass rider....

Dreffbuilder

[Wishing]

The first mutant boar rider is now painted, for your viewing pleasure.



I feel like it could use a bit more colour to make it pop, but I'm not sure where.

[Dreffbuilder]

that looks already great! i don't think it should have any more paint on it but you could give it a try.

Dreff

[Wishing]

Thanks dreffbuilder, you're saving me from the embarrassing fate of being the only person posting to this thread anymore.

I painted some symbols on his back and shoulder pad to fulfill my desire to give him a bit more umph paint-wise, it's hard to keep a balance between eye-catching and overly flashy though. I'll post more pics when I get more of the squad done.

[Dreffbuilder]

Yeah, i'm in painting mode too: i've soon finished my Assaulst marines, this is record: i'm a slow painter, unless i get the mode to paint...

Dreff

[Dreffbuilder]

Thanks dreffbuilder, you're saving me from the embarrassing fate of being the only person posting to this thread anymore.

Now I'm scared that it's Me who only posts comments at your Thread....

[Wishing]

Don't be scared, it's nice to have the company. My slow painting speed mainly comes from the fact that I usually only get 1-2 hours of hobby time per day, and that I'm currently painting three different armies at the same time, so it takes a while between updates.

My current update is a pair of heavy weapon troopers, not converted or excellently painted but finished at least, and a WIP shot of the big heavyweight centrepiece of my ork project.

[checkerthinker]

incredible skin tone! gives a nice gritty feel to it (and for some odd reason reminds me of Mad Max....) how did you do the skin? and any plans on including deff koptas? (i just have a feeling it somehow fit in.....must be that mad max vibes your army is giving off......)

[Dreffbuilder]

I doubt it that it's 'Heavyweight'.

Dreffbuilder

[Wishing]

Thanks checker, the concept is definitely inspired by Mad Max aesthetics, in a similar way to Gorkamorka. However, rather than having lots of vehicles I want to go with a beast-heavy focus, though I do have the three kopters from Black Reach lying around. I painted the skin with a base coat of Vermin Brown (actually was old style Snakebite leather, but I ran out), highlight with Bronzed Flesh then Bleached Bone. Afterwards, wash with brown/black ink, then light drybrush with Bleached Bone.

@Dreff, yeah, I meant heavy in the more conceptual sense, resin is of course wonderfully light. Although it is still heavier weight-wise than anything else in my army so far just due to its size.

[Dreffbuilder]

I know, I know, but it sounded so epic....

[the1stpip]

An interesting take on the skin tone, but it does seem to be working. Dont go adding more colour though, the muted tones is what makes the brown skin look good.

[Wishing]

I agree actually, muted and limited colours are key for this colour scheme - all I added to the beast rider was a symbol on the back of his shirt.

Speaking of beast riders, I got inspired a few days ago and decided to build a Grot equivalent of the Ork beast rider, but instead of being a different take on a boar rider, this one is a different take on a squig hopper. A bow and arrow might not be the most high-tech or effective of weapons in the 41st millennium, but it was the one I thought would look coolest so I went with it anyway.